The 14th annual Cal Ripken World Series kicks off in Aberdeen on Thursday, promising lots of baseball and free fun over the next two weeks.

The Iron Man himself, Cal Ripken Jr., joined Stan Stovall and Jennifer Franciotti on the set of 11 News Today on Thursday to talk more about the festivities, as well as the recent Major League Baseball steroid scandal and the recent reinvigoration of his mother's kidnapping case.

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The Cal Ripken World Series is in its 10th year in Aberdeen and will run through Aug. 19. Ripken told 11 News that of the 16 teams involved this year, six are from outside the U.S.

"To me, the whole world comes to little old Harford County. So, it's a wonderful celebration. Culturally, it's a great experience for the kids to come together," he said.

The two-week tournament at the Ripken Experience Complex showcases the play of the best 12-year-old baseball players in the world. The games are free to attend.

"The games are entertaining. These are the best elite 12-year-olds in the world. The families come out, and there's a safe environment. That's the coolest part -- to see the families walk around and just enjoy the atmosphere. It's good baseball," Ripken said.

There will be a full-fledged carnival this year after organizers tested some rides last year. Ripken said he will be at a clinic on Thursday in which kids can get their eyes tested for free.

Ripken said Japan's Iron Man, Sachio Kinugasa, will throw out the first pitch at a game on Aug. 13. Kinugasa, who ended his career in the 1980s, played in 2,215 consecutive games, trailing not too far behind Ripken's record of 2,632.

Ripken also commented Thursday on the recent suspensions in Major League Baseball surrounding the Biogenesis scandal, saying he thinks league officials are doing everything they can to deter people from trying steroids.

"I'm an advocate for harsher penalties, because there is a lot of money involved, and it seems like that's the issue that forces people to do it," Ripken said.

When asked about grumblings from people who think that players who are caught using steroids should be banned from baseball altogether, he said he "wouldn't mind it," but he said, "Sometimes mistakes happen, and maybe you need to put something in the system so you don't victimize anybody. But certainly, if you do it, there's no place for you in baseball."

Ripken also said there has been a "flurry of activity" at the FBI since he and law enforcement officials during a news conference last week reinvigorated the year-old kidnapping case of his mother, Vi Ripken. He said investigators have gotten lots of calls with information, so they'll now be tasked with sorting through which tips are real and which aren't.